.

Colorectal Cancer


Colon and Rectum
The colon is also called the large bowel or large
intestine. It is the lower 5 to 6 feet of the
digestive system. The last 8 to 10 inches of the
colon is the rectum. Colon cancer, sometimes
called colorectal cancer, is cancer that starts in
the large intestine or rectum.

.
10 8 .
.

.

?Colorectal Cancer: What Is It

?Colorectal Cancer: What Is It

Colorectal cancer is the third most frequently
diagnosed cancer in men and women and the
second highest cause of cancer deaths in the
USA. Yet, when found early, it is highly curable.

.
.

Colorectal cancers often begin as polyps,

benign growths on the surface of the colon.

Most polyps remain benign, but some have the potential

to turn cancerous. Removing them early prevents
colorectal cancer.

.

.

Risk Factors You Can't Control

 Your risk of colorectal cancer depends on genetics and

lifestyle. Factors you can't control include:
Age most patients are older than 50
Polyps or inflammatory bowel disease
Family history of colorectal cancer
History of ovarian or breast cancer

:
: 50 .
( )
. - .

Risk Factors You

Can Control

Some factors that raise the

risk of colorectal cancer are
within your control:
- Diet high in red,
processed, or heavily cooked
meats
- Being overweight.


:
-

.
- .

Excess fat around the waist

- Exercising too little.

- Smoking or drinking
alcohol.

(
).
- .

Obesity

History of chronic constipation

Colorectal Cancer Warning Signs

 There are usually no early warning signs for

colorectal cancer. For this reason it's important to get
screened. Detecting cancer early means it's more
curable.


As the disease

progresses, patients

may notice blood in the

:
stool, abdominal pain, a

change in bowel habits
( (such as constipation or
diarrhea), unexplained
)
weight loss, or fatigue.


.


.
.
.
.



.

By the time these

symptoms appear,
tumors tend to be
larger and more
difficult to treat.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Because colorectal cancer is stealthy,

screenings are the key to early
detection. Beginning at age
50, most people should have a
colonoscopy every 10 years.

.

10.

This procedure uses a tiny camera to

examine the entire colon and rectum.
These tests not only find tumors early,
but can actually prevent colorectal
cancer by removing polyps.

( )
.

.

Virtual Colonoscopy

 There is now an alternative to colonoscopy that uses

CT scan images to construct a 3-D model of your
colon. Called virtual colonoscopy, the procedure can
reveal polyps or other abnormalities without actually
inserting a camera inside your body. The main
disadvantage is that if polyps are found, a real
colonoscopy will still be needed to remove and
evaluate them.

X-Rays of the Colon

X-Rays of the colon -- using a chalky liquid known as

barium as a contrast agent -- allow your doctor a
glimpse at the interior of the colon and rectum,
offering another way to detect polyps, tumors, and
changes in the intestinal tissue.

.


.

Diagnosing Colorectal Cancer

Diagnosing Colorectal Cancer

If testing reveals a possible tumor, the
next step is a biopsy. During a
colonoscopy, your doctor will remove
polyps and take tissue samples from
any parts of the colon that look
unusual.

Staging Colorectal Cancer

 If cancer is detected, it will be "staged," a process of finding

out how far the cancer has spread. Tumor size may not
correlate with the stage of cancer. Staging also enables your
doctor to determine what type of treatment you will receive.
Stage I Cancer has not spread beyond the inside of the colon
or rectum
Stage II Cancer has spread into the muscle layer of the colon
or rectum
Stage III - Cancer has spread to one or more lymph nodes in the
area
Stage IV Cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as
the liver, lung, or bones. This stage does NOT depend on how
deep the tumor has penetrated or if the disease has spread to
the lymph nodes near the tumor.

( )
.
:
.
: .
: .
: .

Colorectal Cancer that has Spread to the Liver

Colorectal liver metastasis is Stage IV cancer that did

not start in the liver, but instead has spread there
from the colon or rectum. When colon or rectal
cancer has spread to the liver, it is a serious disease;
however, patients can still be cured if treated
appropriately.

Colorectal Cancer Surgery

Colorectal Cancer Surgery

In all but the last stage of colorectal cancer, the usual
treatment is surgery to remove the tumor and
surrounding tissue. In the case of larger tumors, it may be
necessary to take out an entire section of the colon and/or
rectum.

Treating Advanced Colorectal Cancer

When colorectal cancer has spread to one or more lymph nodes

(stage III), it can still be cured. Treatment typically involves a
combination of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. If the cancer
comes back after initial treatment or spreads to other organs, it
becomes much more difficult to cure. But radiation and
chemotherapy can still relieve symptoms and help patients live
longer.

.
.


.

Preventing Colorectal Cancer: Diet

Preventing Colorectal Cancer: Diet

There are steps you can take to dramatically reduce

your odds of developing colorectal cancer.
Researchers estimate that eating a nutritious diet,
getting enough exercise, and controlling body fat
could prevent 45% of colorectal cancers.

.


. 45

The National Cancer Institute recommends a lowfat diet that includes plenty of fiber and at least five
servings of fruits and vegetables per day.

(
).

Preventing Cancer With Exercise

Physical activity appears to be a

powerful weapon in the defense
against colorectal cancer. In one study,
the most active participants were 24%
less likely to have the cancer than the
least active people.

.

. %24

It didn't matter whether the activity was

linked to work or play. The American
Cancer Society recommends exercising
for at least 30 minutes most days of the
week.

. 30

Clab.ksu.edu.sa